Now that the day of celebrating the mass genocide of nearly an entire race of people is over, it’s time to turn our attentions toward Christmas. What do I want for Christmas? This meme from Women Are Not Property Sex is Not a Contract sums it up for me quite nicely.

While I do wish everyone a day filled with family, food, and football, I think it’s important to stop and think about what this day symbolizes to Native Americans. While I’m happy and thankful for all the wonderful people in my life, as well as the fact that I have a decent job, a roof over my head, and food to eat, this is still a bittersweet day for me. Native Americans were systematically removed from the land that they revered by us, and to this day, they are still marginalized and oppressed. They deserved and deserve better, and I’m deeply ashamed that my ancestors were a part of this great American tragedy. This is a great article that I’ve linked to: please take a few minutes to check it out.

Do you plan on participating in the madness that is Black Friday? Rather than hitting the Wal-Mart or Target, show some love for the locally owned vendors. You will put money into the local economy, rather than off shore corporate accounts. A tip of the tin foil hat to The Other 98%, for sharing this graphic.